Graphics Guidelines

One of a Kind Cups

Capitol Cups can design your cup for you, or you can send us your own design. If submitting your own design, please observe the following guidelines. If you don’t see the information you are looking for here, please contact us and we’ll be happy to assist you.

Our Labels Process

Our labels are printed on a custom white media then wrapped around the actual cup during the in-mold process. In order for the finished graphics to be correctly positioned and maintain the integrity and dimension of the original design, the graphics must be skewed using a technique known as “warping” or “distorting” while they are still in the digital stage.

Art Specs

LAYOUT

When designing a label, keep in mind that the elements look best when they line up at the side seams, giving the effect of a continuous design.

Critical elements need to be at least 3/8″ from top and 1/4″ from bottom of the template.

DIGITAL IMAGES

We prefer to work with CMYK .psd, layered.tif, .eps or .ai file formats.

We do accept .jpg images, but they must be a high resolution image (300dpi) and they will be converted from RGB into CMYK files, which can result in minor color shifts. Please be aware that if you submit an image in a .jpg or .tiff format, we will be limited in how much we can modify your design to fit the template. We will contact you to discuss. There are situations where an image cannot be modified further and borders (bands) on the top and bottom of the cup can be added that match the design and make a very attractive label. Borders are excellent places to add your contact information or any other copy you want to stand out.

Resolution: for crisp, sharp images, submit 300dpi files. Vector art created in Adobe Illustrator® provides the cleanest, sharpest images for type and illustrated artwork. For photographic images, Adobe PhotoShop® is the best choice for our work flow.

Colors: All our printing is CMYK. All PMS/Spot colors will be converted to 4-Color Process. When referencing a PMS color in a process color print, refer to a Pantone® Process Imaging Guide to see how the color translates when converted to CMYK (most colors change when converted to CMYK). Capitol Cups will make every effort to match any specific PMS color with the CMYK colors available. (Often, the best CMYK match is not the corresponding PMS color.) We provide hard copy color proofs as well as digital proofs for your review and your sign-off on colors.

FONTS

All fonts must be converted into outlines/curves or we will need you to provide the font itself in order to print the label. We use a Macintosh platform, so TrueType or PostScript fonts work the best. Don’t forget to include your fonts or change them to outlines if you are submitting a .pdf

SOFTWARE

Current or recent Mac or PC versions of the following applications:

Layered Adobe Photoshop® CS files

Adobe Illustrator® CS files – include any placed images

Corel Draw® and Freehand® files: will be converted into Adobe Illustrator® files, so please save your file as an Adobe Illustrator® or Adobe PhotoShop® compatible file before submitting.

Adobe InDesign® CS files

NOT ACCEPTABLE

Word®, PowerPoint®, and Excel® files cannot be used.

Images that have been downloaded from a website that are very bit-mapped or low-resolution cannot be used.

ARTWORK COPYRIGHT LAWS

You must own the rights to use ALL artwork you submit to Capitol Cups. Capitol Cups reserves the right to request a written confirmation that artwork submitted has the proper usage permissions from its originator. Customers warrant that all images supplied for reproduction, whether digital, conventional or otherwise, are unencumbered by copyright and other usage rights connected to the image(s) and agree to hold harmless and indemnify Capitol Cups, Inc. for all claims and expenses for any actions in law that may result from the use of these images.

COLOR TARGET / OUTPUT SAMPLE

If you are submitting your own design, it is best to include a complete, full-sized hard copy of the composite art submitted. It may be color or black & white, but must be printed from the final file(s) you provide. Color targets should be printed using calibrated devices. The black and white hard copy will be for position of elements only.

Questions?

About Capitol Cups

Capitol Cups is proud to offer the highest quality cups for kids and adults alike. Whether you’re a mom looking for spill-resistant, eco-friendly, easy care cups or a guy on the go, Capitol Cups has what you are looking for. And if you’re a company that needs a customizable, branded marketing program, Capitol Cups works hand-in-hand with corporations across America to do just that.